TimeSplitters 2
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| TimeSplitters 2 | |
| Missing image Ts2box.jpg TimeSplitters 2 for PS2 US box art | |
| Developer(s) | Free Radical Design |
| Publisher(s) | Eidos Interactive |
| Release date(s) | October 11, 2002 |
| Genre | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T), ELSPA: 15+ |
| Platform(s) | GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox |
TimeSplitters 2 is a 2002 first-person shooter for Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. It was developed by Free Radical and published by Eidos. It is the sequel to 2000's TimeSplitters, which is also for the PlayStation 2.
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Improvements Over The Original
Improvements to the original game include:
- A more in-depth Story Mode with longer missions and varied Primary and Secondary Objectives.
- Checkpoints now found in many missions.
- The option of stealth in some scenes.
- Boss characters now appearing in some missions.
- The co-operative mode expanded to better cater to two players.
- The addition of an Arcade League mode (see below for details)
- Distinct set statistics and difficulty ratings for individual characters (can be switched off in Arcade Custom).
- The ability to create Story-based maps in the Mapmaker
Story
The Story follows two elite space marines Segeant Cortez and Corporal Hart as they battle to return 9 Time Crystals that have been hidden by the evil TimeSplitters throughout Earth's past. The game follows the pair as they 'inhabit' the bodies of various characters (in a move reminiscent of Quantum Leap) in order to find the elusive crystals and disrupt the alien's nefarious plans. As before there is the option to play a co-operative mode. Also, some characters, weapons and maps return from the first game, albeit updated and/or modified as necessary.
Time Zones
Here is a list of the time periods the player explores.
- Oblask Dam, Siberia-(1990) Investigate the mysterious digging site beneath the dam.
- Chicago, USA-(1932) Assassinate mob-boss Big Tony at his exclusive club.
- Notre Dame, Paris-(1895) Eliminate the insane cult leader Jacques de la Morte and free his prisoners.
- Return to Planet X-(2280) Locate the UFO base.
- NeoTokyo, Japan-(2019) Locate the hacker gang's hideout and clear your name.
- Wild West, USA-(1853) Free the imprisoned Sheriff and execute the deranged 'Colonel'.
- AtomSmasher-(1972) Shut down super-villain Khallos' Atom Smasher.
- Aztec Ruins-(1920) Retrieve the Time Crystal from the Lost City golems.
- Robot Factory-(2315) Eliminate the rebel Machinist and shut down his factory.
- Space Station-(2401) Escape the self-destructing Space Station with the Time Crystals.
Main Items
- Temporal Uplink: The Temporal Uplink is a useful gadget that serves mainly as a map. Use it to locate enemies, cameras and Time Crystal shards. In addition it can be used to play three mini games that can be found in the Story Mode. These games include astro lander and anaconda
- Time Crystal: The retrieval of these mysterious alien objects scattered throughout time are the primary objectives of every mission, strange powers and anomalies are often manifest in areas where a Time Crystal has been secreted...
Weapons
TimeSplitters 2 has a large selection of weaponry for players to use in their quests to restore history. As in the first game, the nature of weapons available to the player typically revolves around the time period currently being explored. Arcade matches can have weapons set as custom. Note that many weapons such as the Silenced Pistol and the Tommy Gun can be found in pairs.
Pistols and Handguns
- Luger Pistol
- Silenced Pistol
- Garrett Revolver
- Sci-Fi Handgun
Rifles
- Sniper Rifle
- Vintage Rifle
Shotguns
- Shotgun
- Tactical 12-Gauge
Automatics
- Tommy Gun
- Soviet S47
- SBP90 Machinegun
- Minigun
Energy Weapons
- Plasma Autorifle
- LaserGun
- ElectroTool
Placed Explosives
- TNT
- Timed Mines
- Proximity Mines
- Remote Mines
Projectile Explosives
- Grenade Launcher
- Rocket Launcher
- Homing Launcher
Other Weapons
- Flamethrower
- Crossbow
- Brick
Arcade
A major reason for TimeSplitters 2 critical acclaim was the much envied multiplayer Arcade Mode. Once unlocked there are 14 individual game types, all with multiple options (one shot kills, radars etc) and well over 100 characters to play as. The game types themselves are:
- Deathmatch- The typical multiplayer mode. Grab a weapon and kill each other.
- Team Deathmatch- Divide into teams and attack the other team.
- Capture the Bag- Capture the other team's bag and take it to your team's base.
- Bag Tag- The person who holds on to the bag longest wins.
- Elimination- The last one standing wins.
- Shrink- As you go down in rank, your character gets smaller and harder to hit.
- Virus- The only person to not catch the virus wins.
- Flame Tag- Avoid the person on fire.
- Vampire- Kill other players to extend your life span.
- Leech- Shoot other players for health.
- Regenerate- Health regenerates.
- Thief- Kill the other player for coins.
- Gladiator- Only the Gladiator can get points for kills.
- Zones- Capture zones and score points for how many zones you have captured.
- Assault- Two teams must complete certain objectives.
- Monkey Assistant- The person in first place gets attacked by monkeys with destructive weapons.
Arcade League
The Arcade League allows the player to set their wits against a series of pre-set multiplayer matches. There are 3 leagues with 5 groups of 3 matches in each. Successful completion of a match will result in a trophy, coloured bronze, silver or gold depending on the criteria met. A silver and/or gold trophy is usually rewarded with new characters, arcade maps or cheats. In addition, a platinum trophy can also be earned for an outstanding performance in a match, but results in no additional reward. Each group is typically linked by a common theme. Any group can be selected from the start, but you must complete each match within a group to unlock the next in that group. At the beginning of the game, you will have access to only the Amateur League; completion of Amateur League matches will unlock the next league and so forth.
Challenge Mode
The Challenge Mode returns, but this time is accessible from the beginning of the game. As before, the objectives are to complete set challenges in the hope of a trophy (coloured as in the Arcade League) and reward. Again, the challenges are found in groups of three, typically linked by a common theme. Completion of challenges unlocks the next group and so forth. Characters weapons, and maps can be rewarded for good performance also.
Trivia
- The game is featured in the 2004 "romzomcom" Shaun of the Dead as the game of choice for characters Shaun and Ed. The section that can be seen is the multiplayer 'Streets' arena.
- The Russian dam setting of the opening level is reminiscent of the first mission of GoldenEye 007, a game on which many of the TimeSplitters development team previously worked.
External links
- Official Site (http://www.timesplittersgame.com)
- MobyGame's entry on Timesplitters 2 (http://www.mobygames.com/search/quick?q=timesplitters+2)
- Eidos website (http://www.eidos.com)
- Free Radical website (http://www.frd.co.uk)
- IGN (http://cube.ign.com/objects/479/479934.html?ui=gamefinder)